i 



PS 3503 

.U565N3 

1912 




Class T^^ S03- 
Book : LlSGS/\f 5 



CQfyRIGHT DEPOSm 



THE NATIVITY 

By JOHN BUNKER 



And behold, the star, which they 
had seen in the East, went before 
them, until it came and stood over 
where the Child was. 

— .S7. Matt/u'7.\ C/iapfrr If. 



THK SHAKESPEARE PRESS 

114-116 E. 28lh Street 

New York 

1912 






C()Pyri(;h'J', 1913, 

BY 
JOHN BUNKER. 



©CI.A328872 




THE .NATINITY 



THE NATIVITY 

By John Bunker. 



Hiislicd were the courts of Ileav'n; the stars were 

still; 
And all the angelic choirs — tier o'er tier. 
Seated iii)oii their dazzling thrones of light — 
AYith sohMnn mien and dee]) submissive awe 
Unhanded their mute instruments. No strains, 
AVhether of soothing lyre, exultant horn. 
Or that more grateful tribute, vocal song, 
Rose to the Father from that serried host 
Of wing'd immortals, as u])on their ranks 
Like some vast shadow of an unseen hand 
Fell dread expectance and portentous calm. 
Most hushed and still those heavenly spirits were. 
So hushed and still they seemed like sliaix's of 

stone. 



THE NATIVITY. 



Lifeless and cold, save that their lustrous eyes, 
Now pensive sad, now wide with dawning hope. 
Imaged the restless footing of their thought 
And so approved them vital. Like a mist. 
Like a great mist uprisen from the sea 
That creeping softly shoreward iinperceived 
Blanks the boon face of nature; — so by stealth 
Thro' all the courts celestial and bright halls 
Drifted a subtile silence, from the verge 
And farthest reach of Heaven's wide demesne 
Unto her utmost pinnacle of glory. 



Sudden athwart those walls of solid light 
Strange splendor flasht, as swift from th' Eternal 

Throne 
Sped onward to its high appointed place 
The youngest star of Heaven. Wonder smote 
For one brief moment all that heavenly throng. 



THE NATIVITY 



And back they slii-aiik affrighted. Then forth 

brake 
With murmurous joy and reverent posture meet 
The cry of "Bethlehem." As when abrui)t 
Upon the virgin peace of loftiest Alp 
Crashes the voice of thunder, rumbling on 
From peak to peak, till the roused avalanche 
Ijooses his roar majestic down the gale. 
And hollow hills and icy caverns drear 
Give back reverberate clamor ; — so replied 
AVith swelling cadence and puissant sound 
Far tiers to tiers responsive; and uprose 
Higher and ever higher from that host 
Of sweet-voiced spirits harmony divine, 
Celestial joy in thunderous acclaim. 
Till shook the eternal battlements. They sang 
"Be glory in the highest unto God," 
Glory supreme to Heaven's Eternal King, 
Glory unending, worship paramount. 



THE NATIVITY. 



Praise in the highest, honiag-e most exalt, 
Full adoration to Omnipotent God, 
With varied iteration, rhythmic change; 
And with that mighty sympliony were l^h'iit 
In melhnv chime and sweetest nnison 
From airy pipes and sul)tly stricken lyres 
S|nritual nmsics, immaterial strains, 
Fit for supernal eai". Meet while they sang 
"Be glory in the highest nnto God," 
Glory supreme to Heav'n's Eternal King, 
Glory unending, worslii|) paramount. 
Praise in the highest, homage most exalt. 
Full adoration to Omnipotent God. 
Then slowly, slowly, their pure voices fell 
With delicate gradation, sweet decline. 
To fainter tones and fainter, till at close 
Trailing far strains of silver melody 
Adown the tremulous spaces of the sky 
Thev ceased so soft that like to blending hues 



TIIK NATIVITY 



Of rainbow mirrored in breeze-wimpled lake 
Silence and they did merge insensibly. 

Full in that nmnnnrons hnsh, whih' y<'t did echo 
The fitfnl sighings of aerial sonnd 
Drifting in billowy flight from distant caverns 
And dim recesses of the antred air, 
High in his place of primacy uprose 
Splendent before those luminous tiers of song 
Their leader, and in tlirilling accents called 
Prom out their midst his sweetest choristers. 
Brightest of all those bright they forward moved. 
Majestic, sovereign, free. No ])eer they had 
From bourne to bourne of Ileav'n, whether to 

swee]) 
A\'ith mastering touch the gohh'ii-stringed lyre. 
Or sing high hymns of praise before the Throne. 
Koseal lightnings pUiyed about their brows; 
Their eyes were starry, and their snowy forms, 



THE NATIVITY 



Flushed of young beauty and celestial strength, 
Shone with bedazzling splendor. Odorous sweet, 
Most odorous sweet, like flowers in some fair gar- 
den. 
Those gracious spirits Avere, for thro' them 

breathed 
Essential purity and innnortal love. 
Forward did those tall angels now advance 
With tread deliberate thro' the choral ranks 
Unto tlie i^ortal of the fane of song; 
And as they passed, from the melodious host 
Of heavenly lyrists, winged choristers. 
Rose mingled benediction and farewell. 
Unto the portal of the fane of song 
Those sun-bright spirits came. Turning tliey 

smiled 
.V tender smile of parting on the host. 
And thro' the massy portal swift withdrew. 



THE NATIVITY. 11 



Tlie faery time it was of Heaven's even, 

Plaeid and still, ^vhenas in purple folds 

The shinnnerini^' veil of twilight wide is llnng 

O'er the celestial eity. Rosily 

Now glowed in rarest ether the high sunnnits 

Oi pinnacle and tower, and afar 

The swelling domes of stately temples shone 

With golden glitter 'mid their forestry 

Of slender spire and steeple, as apace 

Did hasten thro' the darkling ways of Heaven 

Those hierarchs of song. With burning syjeed 

Thro' shadowy splendors and irradiant glooms 

They forward pressed, and ever as they went 

In mystic nnirmnrs the etherial ways 

Echoed the rapid rhythm of their trea(L 

Fleetly they glided onward, past bright fanes 

And glimmering courts and skiey terraces 

And many a luminous mansion of the Blest, 

Nor paused till on the crystal edge they stood 



12 THE NATIVITY 



Of Heaven's ramparts. AVide extended lay 
B(4'()re, l)elo\v, aronnd llieni the vast ])lains 
Of darkened azure, lii^htless tracts of blue, 
While dimly, vaguely, they could see far off, 
(So far they seemed minutest specks of light 
]jOst in the vista of Eternity), 
Full many a starry phalanx cleaving slow 
In regular circumference and fixt curve 
The cerulean dusk. One only star 
In sovereign state and single empery 
Jligli stationed in the vaulted dome of heaven 
Moved not, but steadfast and unshaken ever 
Amid the clanging tumult of the spheres 
Still stood aloof in the l)right solitude 
Of his own grandeur, lie had ])aced afar 
With regal bearing and monarchal |)ride 
The skiey regions, and upon his throne. 
Inviolate and lirm, of smouldering gold 
And blazing sap])hii"<' builded, he now sate 



THE NATIVITY. 18 



Al)()ve the cloudy wrack of time and cliaiii^'c 
Kiii.i^Iikc serene, 'i'liose s])irits knew liiiii well; 
He was of God, that i^lorioiis minister 
Who late did speed thro' Heav'n. l^i)oii liis 

throne 
Austerely calm with Itrow contemplative 
He now reposed; yet e\'en as they g-azed, 
Castin,i>' his robe of splendors from about him 
'^riiat made to scatter the etherial swarms 
And shook with earnest miii'lit the arched heavens 
He rose in towering- majesty, and rearing' 
Upward his battalions arm did hurl with vii;'or, 
With i^odlike vii^or and resistless force, 
His javelin of light. Down night's arcane 
Thro' bickering- shadows and the fraying hues 
Of feverous planet and awe-troul)led star, 
'Mid spectral twilight and uncertain gloom, 
H fiaslit in slope career until it smote 



14 THE NATIVITY 



Full on the breast o' the earth. Therein it stuck 
Quivering awhile, and then was iixt and still. 

With thirsty gaze and vehement desire 
Straining upon their leash of firm control 
Those sun-bright spirits viewed that mystic 

signal, 
.Vnd with one impulse, stark upon the edge 
Of Heaven's ramparts, palpitant and tense. 
They stood erect in glory. Suddenly 
(Each in the glowing cirque his presence made 
Stretching to fullest scope his furled pinions) 
From that proud station forth they swept amain 
Into th' ungiimpsed profound. Towards that 

l)eam, 
That blazing beacon of high mystery. 
They bent their course, and with supremest effort 
Thro' warring darkness and most ravenous 

glooms, 



THE NATIVITY. 15 



Across dim chaos and primeval voids, 
O'er mountainous ruin and the blank crevasse, 
Cloven of midnight and the stroke of doom. 
They won their way. Thro' fearsome realms for- 
lorn. 
Past shadowy shapes of dream and ghastly 

visions, 
Which do inhabit all that misty waste 
Betwixt the moon and nether side of Heaven, 
Fled they on valorous wing- tempestuously. 
Over the broad swart iields of night they sj^ed. 
Beating- the sombre void with mighty strokes, 
Until they reached those level tracts serene 
Smoothed by the constant stars' unwearied tread, 
Where they might stay their flight and seek re- 

jjose. 
Here on the downy couches of strown clouds 
They soft reclined, or in the pools of dawn 
And crystal streams etherial laved their limbs 



IG THE NATIVITY. 



Ill mild disport. A happy while, tho' brief, 
They paused in that calm region ; then refreshed 
They rose, and shaking from their wings In-ight 

moisture 
Down thro' iniineasiiral)le space o)i winnowing 

plumes 
Earthward they plunged. Most swiftly dropt they 

down. 
And on the ani})le liosoni of the dark 
Scattered the rays that from the newest star 
Fell on their waving pinions silverly. 

Far leagues on hnignes they sank, ami sinking 

viewed 
^Idie th.ousand subtile wonders of the air. 
Each in his native posture. Tliey belie hi 
The ])rideful comet whisk his spangled tail 
Across the heavens and tlie l)lanclied moon, 
lloising his rondure o\'er cloudy keep, 



T1U<: NATIVITY. 17 



Dai'tle swift silver arrows. Once tliey glimpsed 
A flaming planet at its orbit's tip 
Stand steadfast, then — like some rich galleon, 
Heavy with pearl, that on benighted seas 
Puts forth from haven — tnrn with th' aerial titles 
And stately-slow swing down a gorged channel. 
Blind with eternal shadow. The frore breath 
Of blastful Boreas full upon them blew 
And pearled with dewy drops their nndnlons hair 
Streaming behind. Anon they drifted slow 
Thro' the warm splendor of that sultry star 
Named of the Dog, or drave on slanted wing- 
Down the bright vista of the Milky AVay, 
Paven with light. They saw the sistered seven 
Plaiting their loosened locks in starry folds 
Of claspered loveliness, as past the claws 
( )f i\w enormous Bear, lying a-sprawl, 
Scatheless they swerved oblique. Afar tliey viewed 
Despite of swirling mists of vaporous gold 



18 THE NATIVITY 



Orion and the famed fraternal two, 
In life and death twin-sharers in one glory. 
And other swarming wonders they observed 
Of til' npper deeps, now waning or a-burst 
With gorgeons glitterance, swimming full npon 

them. 
Or fast receding down long avenues, 
Vast, cavernous, and silent. Still they sank 
On level vans thro' the clear atmosphere 
For many a league of space before there swept 
Into their ken the spinning ball o' the earth, 
Sw^athed in alternate brightness and old gloom. 
Making a sobei' twilight. They descried 
Sudden the patient mountains lift their heads, 
Mist-crowned and hoary, and the earth's scarred 

front 
Take on the virgin vesture of the snow. 
Masking her shame, and the unquiet bosom 
Of boundless ocean heave witli solemn swell. 



THE NATIVITY. 19 



Then down the sky in silver-plashing vush 
Of urgent syllables from their glad throats 
Poured their sweet ti<iings of su];)reniest joy, 
Their high supernal message, ''Peace to men;" 
And at that sound awoke along their trail 
A splendor, as of sunburst after storm, 
A far-flung arch of interlucent gold 
And ribbed clefts of purple. Near to earth, 
And nearer still they drew, and saw the flocks 
Lying in huddled slumber on the hills, 
And the unsleeping shepherd standing nigh. 
In blinding glory they pursued their way, 
Outbreathing e'er their tidings of great joy, 
And as they passed, the wakeful shepherd heard 
Their jocund strains and started back adread, 
Gladdened and awed by that rare minstrelsy. 
Thus with expense of pure melodious breath 
Winning them ease of their full-hearted joy 
Onward they sped o'er countryside and town. 



20 THE NATIVITY. 



Palaces, temples, and gray citadels, 

Wall -girdled cities, nnghty wildernesses, 

And the great silent desert, bare of life; 

And all the night was lond with their sweet song 

Of " Peace on earth to men. ' ' Sudden they paused 

In middle flight, and drew on hovering wing 

(^iose o'er a lowly hovel and were still 

And howed with reverent dread unutterable 

As there they saw the AVoman and the Child. 

With l)liss-constrained eye and shaken bosom 
Tossed in the laboring surges of delight 
Those sovereign spirits gazed till sight was dim 
And ached their souls for joyance. Then abrupt, 
In such sweet accents as to angels are. 
They brake into that chaunt late sung in Heaven: 
"Be glory in the highest unto God." 
Showering their golden strains of blithesome 
sound 



THE NATIVITY. 21 



Thov circled slow in mazy gyres of light 

< )v('r that sacred s])()t and iidy felt 

The joy, the i)aiig, the thrill, the recompense 

Of song's delirions raptnre. So sweet pain 

Knew not the primal singer in the dawn 

Of his yonng })owers when from his spirit's 

pinions, 
Shaking Auroral dews, his carol clear 
Rose like the lark that fresh from grassy covert 
Ranges the skies in wild-wood ecstasy. 
With descant large and utterance divine 
They sang supreme submission to the Child, 
(llory unending, worship ])aramonnt. 
Praise in the highest, homage most exalt. 
Full adoration to the Infant King. 
But wliile they showered thus their golden strains 
( )f blithesome sound and wheeled in mazy gyres 
Above that sacred dwelling, awesome change 
Stole o'er the gradual face of the high heavens, 



22 THE NATIVITY. 



And every star, which erst most brilliant was, 

With lessening splendor and diminished might 

Obscnrely shone. As when before a storm 

Upon a spacious forest silence falls, 

And then upsprings a solitary gust, 

A gentle breeze precursive of tierce winds 

And rending tempest, and straightway the birds 

Seek shelter, while the brawny limbs of oaks 

Sway to a temperate music, and the leaves 

Whisper in terror of the coming fray; 

So thro' the sky a breath of portent passed 

In gentle wise, and all the branching stars 

That rumorous were of wonders and eclipse 

Trembled expectant. Thereupon from Heaven 

Sullen there came a multitudinous tramp 

Of marching legions, a stupendous beat 

(Jf countless footfalls keeping single time 

In vast processional. Unseen of earth 

And the angelic messengers of peace 



THE NATiVJTY 



(Jiiward (lid sweep that tliroiiii' of heavenly spirits, 
Cohimii on eohimii, till tlieir loiul advance 
Resonndin,i>' down the corridors of nijoht 
With tread triumphant and victorious din 
Made quake the skiey concave. Suddenly 
Far off from the hid battlements of Heaven 
Blared a lone trumpet. Then were cast to light 
The tianung' standards of ten thousand x^eers, 
The leaders of that myriad multitude, 
Moving in tixt battalion, phalanx tirni, 
And ample cohort, covering all the plain 
Of highest Heav'n. In general advance 
Swung onward those ))right arnnes steadily 
Until tlieir foremost ranks attained the wall 
Based on the verge of Heaven. There they stopt 
And silent stood, down-looking to the earth 
AVith museful eyes upon that scene of awe. 



24 THE NATIVITY. 



Tliick-elustered on the ramparts of high Heaven 
Stood the celestial armies, hushed and still, 
Mnte-strieken by the mystei-y of love. 
Tlioughtfnl and still eaeli watching- spirit was. 
Thoughtful and still and rapt in reverent prayer, 
Until he felt a pulse of mere delight 
Make pleasant stir beneath his weight of awe 
And flutter dove-like upward to his lips. 
Seeking its utterance. Then that heavenly host 
P^rom sweet compulsion and imperious joy 
Brake into song. As when th' embattled sea 
Long held aloof the land by rigid dyke. 
Chafing and lashing 'iieath the scourge o' the 

storm, 
With sudden wrath shatters the barrier-wall 
And I'anging where he lists with terrible show 
Of complete pow'r urges his battering tides 
Forward with thunder, — so fi-oiii that great 

throno- 



THE NATIVITY. 



Of squadroned angels, winged elioristers, 

Burst the tremendous harmony. It fell 

AVith noise magnifie headlong down the sky, 

"Be glory in the highest unto God," 

Torrential sound flooding the skiey regions 

And whelming earth. It overflowed the heavens 

Thro' all their bounds, and when infrequent pause 

Of silence came, like wave on wave did follow 

Peal, and again peal. The lofty towers 

Of Heaven's peers e'en from their tops of pearl 

Shook to their rooted base empyreal. 

And rocked the floor of Heaven. The bi-ight 

spheres 
Trembled in bliss, and with responsive thrill 
The pale stars flushed to glory. One only star 
In sovereign state and single empery 
High stationed in the vaulted dome of heaven 
Moved not, l)ut constant and unshaken ever 
Amid the shattering music of the spheres 



26 THE NATIVITY. 



Still held liis iiiystie shaft of splendor true, 
Pavilioning with light that sacred dwelling 
Where Mary was and God 's begotten Son, 

And then once more was silent highest Heaven ; 

The stars again were still; and all the host 

Of pure angelic beings gazing down 

With nniseful eyes from the celestial rampaids, 

And those bright spirits, heralds of new dawn. 

Who brought the tidings of exceeding joy, 

Stilled their glad tumult, and the mountains 

1)0 wed 
Their hoary heads in reverence, and the sea. 
His feverous fret abating, became calm; 
But one most wretched sjiot of this wide world 
(For on her lay the shadow of the rood) 
Hiding her 'neatli the sable scarf of night 
drew sad and mourned, and thro' the lonely hills 



THE NATIVITY. 27 



Voicing lier sorrow came the hollow winds. 
And in the secret haunts of desolation 
They wailed her grievous fault that was to be ; 
As Mary with sweet stealth and misty eyes 
Bent softly down and kissed the sleeping Child. 



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